AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- Mitch Richmond scored a
season-high 33 points in a spectacular all-around effort to lead
the Washington Wizards to their season-high third straight
victory, a 97-83 triumph over the Detroit Pistons.

Richmond surpassed his previous high of 31 points in a win at
San Antonio on December 11. He shot 13-of-24 from the field,
made all five of his free throws, collected four steals and
seemed to come up with every big shot down the stretch after
staking the Wizards to a comfortable halftime lead.

Juwan Howard scored 16 points and Tracy Murray added 12 off the
bench for Washington, which had not won three straight since
February 19-21 of the lockout-shortened season.

"It's the first (three-game win streak) since last February and
it feels good," Richmond said. "Now we have one more before
Christmas and we have to do what we did tonight, especially on
the defensive end."

Grant Hill scored 25 points and Jerry Stackhouse added 20 for
the Pistons, who suffered their fourth loss in six games and
looked like they left their game in Philadelphia.

"It seemed like we were flat on both ends," Hill said. "When
we'd get close, they kept their poise and got a big rebound or a
big shot. It was like we left it all in Philly."

Detroit did not seem to have recovered from Monday's overtime
loss to the 76ers appeared tired down the stretch, going the
final 4:50 without a basket.

"We didn't play very well," Detroit coach Alvin Gentry said. "We
didn't make plays and we gave up way too many offensive rebounds
(16). We played a tough game yesterday and we just didn't have
much energy today. Every team loses tough games, you can't let
it bother you, especially when you're coming home."

"We tried to make them play outside," Washington coach Gar Heard
added. "We felt if they were taking jump shots, we had a chance
to win the game as long as we got the rebounds. They're a very
good transition team."

The Wizards lost starter Rod Strickland with 10:36 remaining in
the third quarter after the point guard received his second
technical foul for arguing with official Jack Nies.

Chris Whitney came off the bench and did a solid job running the
offense, collecting eight points and eight assists with three
turnovers in 27 minutes.

"We told Chris that he probably would have to play the rest of
the game," Heard said. "He was really solid down the stretch.
He made a big basket late and got us into our offense. He did a
good job."

"(Whitney) was awesome," Richmond added. "He came in and
controlled the game. We didn't want to get into the running game
with this team and shoot the quick shots. He did a solid, solid
job."

Jahidi White grabbed 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who held a
50-39 advantage on the boards and shot 44 percent (40-of-91).

"This game is a lot like our season has been," Hill said. "We'd
make a couple of plays, think we were back in it and then slip
back again. It's like getting to .500 and then slipping back
again. We just have to get over that hump."

Richmond had 16 first-half points, giving Washington a 51-43
cushion at intermission. But the Pistons climbed back into
contention in the third period.

Laettner made a pair of free throws with 7:02 remaining, shaving
the deficit to 57-53. Richmond answered with a pair of free
throws to spark a 9-2 run and capped it on a 3-pointer with 4:36
left that made it 66-55.

The Wizards closed the period with a 16-8 run and held a 75-63
lead entering the fourth quarter.

Laettner's hook with 4:53 to play pulled Detroit within 85-80
but Detroit could not buy a basket thereafter, missing their
last seven shots.

Howard made a follow shot and a layup and Richmond followed with
an acrobatic jumper from right sideline and two free throws to
give Washington a 93-81 cushion with 1:31 left.

"It's good to have Richmond, because when we need a basket, he
comes through for us," Heard said. "And I've always thought
that he was one of the top defensive 2-guards in the league.
He's solid and strong. Guys can't post him up and he's quick
enough to guard them outside."